Chambana Sun

City of Hoopeston City Council met Sept. 16

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Carter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the pledge of allegiance.

II. ROLL CALL – The following j7 alderpersons were present: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, and Scharlach. Alderman Garrett was absent. Mayor Carter and Clerk Hardcastle were also present. Eric Eves from Attorney Miller’s office was present on Zoom.

III. AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Alderman Scharlach moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. Motion carried.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING – Alderman Eyrich moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Alderman Scharlach seconded the motion. Motion carried.

V. APPROVAL OF THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS – Alderman McElhaney moved to approve the payment of the city’s bills. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the bills were approved 7-0.

VI. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VII. PETITIONS TO THE COUNCIL – None

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

X. REPORT OF OFFICERS

a. EYRICH

i. ORDINANCE 2025-8 CHANGING 13.44.040 – Alderman Eyrich reviewed this ordinance and moved to approve it. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. This ordinance would allow the water superintendent to disconnect service to the water and sewer system for continued violations of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell,  Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

ii. WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPDATE – The scheduled completion date is September 22, 2025, and the project is within the $2.5 million budget.

iii. WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPDATE – The upgrade is still in the design phase, and it is about 70% complete. This entire project is scheduled to take 5 years to complete.

b. K. FERRELL

i. Alderwoman K. Ferrell reviewed the electronic and large appliance collection event. The recycler collected half a truckload of electronic recycling and only 3 appliances.

c. M. FERRELL – Nothing to report.

d. GARRETT – Absent.

e. LAWSON – Nothing to report.

f. MCELHANEY

i. CITY SLAB CAMERAS – The new cameras for the city slab should be in service by the end of the week.

g. PORTH – Nothing to report.

h. SCHARLACH

i. RESOLUTION 2026-10 – ACCEPTING BID FOR HVAC SYSTEM

REPLACEMENT AT THE FIRE STATION – Alderman Scharlach moved to approve this resolution. Alderman Eyrich seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the resolution was approved 7-0.

ii. ORDINANCE 2026-9 – CHANGING 8.20 – Alderman Scharlach reviewed the ordinance. Eric Eves suggested some changes to the wording of NFPA Code 1124 to denote which year we were using and to add the full name of the NFPA. Alderwoman Lawson asked if everything needed to be in a storage shed. Alderman Scharlach answered that it needed to be in a proper storage container. Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if the current firework vendor in Hoopeston is affected by this. Alderman Scharlach advised that this is just for bulk storage. Alderman Scharlach moved to approve the ordinance.

Alderwoman K. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

iii. ORIDNANCE 2026-10 – CHANGING 15.12 – Alderman Scharlach reviewed this ordinance. Alderwoman Lawson asked if this changes the ordinance that she previously wrote. Alderman Scharlach advised that it does within the burn limits. Alderman Scharlach moved to approve the ordinance.

Alderman M. Ferrell seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

XI. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL

a. Clerk Hardcastle advised that he would not be at either October meeting and that Trish Stebbins would be filling in.

XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. ESSEX BUILDING – Alderwoman Lawson asked if there were any updates with the Essex Building. Mayor Carter did not have any.

b. BZZZ PLACE – Alderwoman Lawson asked if there were any updates on the outstanding bill for the disposal of the former Bzzz Place. Mayor Carter would follow up with Attorney Miller.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS –

a. SIGN – Alderwoman Lawson advised that a business wants to put up a sign but there is no room between their building and the sidewalk and the sign will be up in the air. This goes against the zoning ordinance. It was decided that this needs to go before the Planning and Zoning commission to issue a variance.

b. QUICKLUBE – Mayor Carter advised that a new business wants to locate in the former Quicklube building in Hoopeston Plaza. There is some question on the zoning of the property and the Planning and Zoning commission will need to look into changing the zoning. 

c. NEW ORDINANCES – Alderman M. Ferrell advised that he is working on new ordinances regarding tiny houses and meeting rules.

XIV. MAYOR COMMENTS

a. CITY LOTS BIDS – A notice of bids for city lots went out this week. Bid opening will be September 30, 2025, at 10:00 am.

b. RESOLUTION 2026-11 APPOINTINTG A DEPUTY CODE OFFICER – Alderwoman K. Ferrell advised that this would be for the building inspector to sign off on documents instead of the ordinance officer. Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to approve the resolution. Alderwoman Lawson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken (Ayes: Eyrich, K. Ferrell, M. Ferrell, Lawson, McElhaney, Porth, Scharlach – Nays: None – Abstentions: None – Absent: Garrett) and the ordinance was approved 7-0.

c. RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY – Several people are interested in purchased the old railroad right of way that is adjacent to their property. Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if these need to go out to bid? Eric Eves answered that since the property is adjacent to the property owners, the process is different. Eric will investigate the state law and give directions on how to proceed.

XV. COMMENTS FROM THE ATTORNEY

a. ESSEX BUILDING – The next hearing for this case is on September 29, 2025.

b. RULES FOR MEETINGS – Eric and Attorney Miller have previously looked into setting rules for meetings. He will forward what they have on to Alderman M. Ferrell.

c. HOOPESTON FOOD LOCKER AND MCFERREN BUILDING – Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked if there are any updates on getting the deeds transferred for these properties. Eric did not have an update but would check with Attorney Miller.

d. LORRAINE PROPERTIES – Alderwoman K. Ferrell asked about the deeds for the Lorraine Foundation that need split up. Eric advised to get him the specifics, and they can write it up.

e. WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT LEGAL OPINION LETTER – Clerk Hardcastle asked if Eric had received his emails regarding the legal opinion letter that was needed from Attorney Miller to file with the IEPA loan documents. Eric did not have an answer but would check back.

f. AJ GARRISON LAWSUIT – Mayor Carter asked if the city needs to place a lien regarding this case. Eric advised that he would speak with the mayor about this outside of the meeting. 

g. 819 S FIFTH ST – Alderwoman K. Ferrell advised that the remnants of this building came back negative for asbestos.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further action to come before the council Alderwoman K. Ferrell moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman McElhaney seconded the motion.

Motion was carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.

https://cityofhoopeston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/9-16-25-Meeting-Minutes.pdf